Elon Musk caught attention with a candid five-word statement during President Trump’s address to Congress. The tech billionaire’s comment reveals much about his relationship with the administration and his unfiltered communication style.
At a Glance
- Elon Musk whispered “I said I wasn’t fired” during Trump’s address to Congress
- Trump acknowledged Musk’s work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
- Democrats have been calling for Musk to be removed from his DOGE role
- DOGE has conducted controversial mass firings of federal workers
- Federal employee unions have filed lawsuits against DOGE citing privacy concerns
Musk’s Candid Comment at Trump’s Address
Tech billionaire Elon Musk made headlines with a brief but telling comment during President Donald Trump’s recent address to Congress. As Trump acknowledged Musk’s critical work in streamlining government operations, a lip reader caught the Tesla CEO’s five-word whisper: “I said I wasn’t fired.” The comment came as Democrats have been aggressively pushing for Musk’s removal from his role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Trump made a point of highlighting Musk’s contributions during his congressional address, showing appreciation for the businessman’s efforts to modernize federal technology. “Everybody here — even this side — appreciates it, I believe,” Trump said, gesturing toward the Democrat side of the chamber, in a moment of characteristic optimism despite the partisan divide over Musk’s appointment.
Elon Musk received a standing ovation for his work on DOGE during President Trump’s address to Congress tonight.
Could never have imagined this just a few years ago. pic.twitter.com/PzWP1mq2iT
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) March 5, 2025
DOGE’s Controversial Mission
The Department of Government Efficiency isn’t actually an official government department but rather a renamed version of the U.S. Digital Service. Co-led by Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, DOGE has been tasked with cutting government waste and improving federal technology systems. The clever acronym pays homage to the Doge meme and Dogecoin cryptocurrency that Musk has famously supported throughout his career.
“I said I wasn’t fired,” Elon Musk said.
Under Musk’s leadership, DOGE has wasted no time in implementing sweeping changes, conducting mass firings of federal workers that have sparked significant controversy across Washington. The aggressive approach aligns with Trump’s long-standing promise to drain the swamp and reduce the size of government bureaucracy, but has predictably drawn fierce opposition from Democrats and government employee unions who see it as an attack on career civil servants.
Legal Challenges Mount
DOGE’s methods have come under legal scrutiny, particularly regarding its access to the Treasury Department’s payment systems and other sensitive government information. Federal employee unions filed a lawsuit on February 3rd challenging what they describe as unprecedented privacy intrusions. The lawsuit argues that DOGE’s access to sensitive personal information lacks adequate protections under federal law.
“The scale of the intrusion into individuals’ privacy is massive and unprecedented,” a Feb. 3 lawsuit from federal employee unions stated.
Despite these challenges, Musk’s continued presence in Trump’s inner circle suggests the administration remains committed to their partnership and the aggressive government reform agenda they’ve embarked upon. The tech billionaire’s candid comment at the congressional address not only underscores his trademark bluntness but also signals his intention to remain in his role despite mounting Democrat opposition and legal hurdles.
